Life is difficult. Things go wrong. We make mistakes.
People get sick. Loved ones die. Relationships break up. Accidents
happen. We can make fresh beginnings.

Questions people ask - If I have an accident, or an
illness, or a run of bad luck, is it a sign that God is punishing
me?

A. The God of unconditional love revealed by Jesus is
not in the business of punishing. He makes the rain fall and sun shine
on wicked people and good people alike. Sin has no need of divine
punishment for it contains its own seeds of unhappiness. Personal
suffering or tragic accidents should not be seen as divine punishment.
God prefers to see the return of the sinner, and like the patient
gardener, will help the one who repents.

Times of Masses, Confessions and Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament

St. Mary’s Church:

Masses:

Mon. Tues. Wed. & Thurs. 9:30am.

Fri. 8pm.

Sat. Vigil 8pm.

Sun. 9am. 11:30am.

Confessions:

Fri. & Sat. 7-7:50pm.

Adoration:

Mon. Fri. 1:30-3:30pm. in the Oratory in the Day Centre.

St. Michael’s Church:

Masses:

Wed. 9:30am.

Sat. Vigil 7pm.

Sun. 10:30am

Confessions:

Fri. & Sat. 6:15pm.

Adoration:

Mon. - Fri. 7:30pm. 9:30pm.

Oratory, Ballyliffin:

Masses:

Thurs. 7:30pm.

Sun. 10am.

Confessions:

Thurs. 6:45pm.

Adoration:

Mon. - Fri. 7:30pm. - 9:30pm.

Local Notes

Priest on call: Fr. Devlin is on call this week,
tel. 76114.

Dr. on Duty: In emergency, tel. 76173.

Stations of the Cross, Rosary and Benediction in
St. Michael's Church, Urris, this evening, Sun., at 6pm. Everyone should
make an effort to attend during Lent. Parents should bring children
along and encourage the tradition of extra prayer during Lent.

Sympathy: We offer sincere sympathy to the relatives
and friends of Anthony Toland, Coolcross, who died during the week.
May he rest in peace.

Months Mind Mass: 8pm. Mass in St. Mary's Church
next Fri. Mar. 23 will be offered for John Doherty (McGee), Ballyliffin.
May he rest in peace.

Daily Attendance at Mass: We are pleased to see
so many people coming to daily Mass during Lent and we encourage others
to come join us.

Lenten Station Masses continue this week as follows:

Thurs. Mar. 22 James & Gráinne Doherty, Gortfad. 8:00pm.

Fri. Mar. 23 Don & Meta McGonigle, Annagh. 9:30am.

Fri. Mar. 23 Gerry & Mary Hackett, Ballyliffin 8:30pm.

Fri. Mar. 24 Paddy & Mary Harkin, Boherna. 9:30am. 

The following areas have not yet been taken - if anyone
in these areas would like to host the Station Mass during Lent please
contact Fr. Devlin, 76114.

Help Alleviate Slavery in India: Everyone is welcome
to attend a meeting in The Strand Hotel on Wed. Mar. 21 at 8pm. to help
organise a sale to alleviate slavery in India. Vandalism and Harassment:

During the past weeks, parish and school property have
been vandalised. This is a waste of our resources. Several vulnerable
individuals are being regularly harassed by some younger members of
our community. This is totally unchristian behaviour. We ask parents
to remind their children of the need to respect others and their property.

Inishowen Regional Pioneer Council will take up
their annual Church Gate Collection next weekend Mar. 24 & 25. Your
support will be appreciated.

Next Sunday, March 25, we celebrate Mother's - The Creation
of Mothers

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, he was into his
sixth day of 'over time' when an angel appeared and said. "You are doing
a lot of fiddling around with this one." And the Lord said, "have you
read the spec on this order?"

She has to be completely washable, not plastic. Have 180
movable parts ..all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers.
Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. Have a kiss that can
cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And have
six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "six pairs of
hands .. Not possible." "It's not the hands that are causing me problems"
said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes that a mother has to have."
"That's on a standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded. "One
pair that see through closed doors when she asks, "what are you kids
doing in there?" when she already knows. Another here, in the back of
her head, that sees what she shouldn't, but what she has to know, and,
of course, the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs,
and reflects. "I understand and I love you," without so much as uttering
a word.

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently. "Come
to bed. Tomorrow..." "I can't." said the Lord, "I'm so close to creating
something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when
she is sick .. Can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburgers ..
and can get a nine-year old to stand under the shower."

The angel circled the model of The Mother very slowly.
"It's too soft," she sighed. "But touch," said the Lord excitedly. "You
cannot imagine what this Mother can do or endure. "Can it think?"

"Not only think, but it can reason and compromise, said
the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across
the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced.

I told you, you were trying to put too much into this
model. You can't ignore the stress factor."

The Lord moved in for a closer look and gently lifted
the drop of moisture to his finger where it glistened and sparkled in
the light. "It's not a leek," he said. "It's a tear." "A tear?" asked
the angel, "what's it for?" "It's for joy, sadness, disappointment,
compassion, pain, loneliness and pride."

"You are a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked sombre, "I didn't put it there."

Say it with flowers on Mother's Day - Order in
time, contact Lucy, tel. 76477.